House Republicans and Democrats Get Testy
After three days of bickering during the special session on transportation, legislators are starting to dispense with the niceties.
In debating a bill at the Rules Committee this morning, Del. R. Steven Landes (R-Augusta) started to use the term "Democrat friends" when he was quickly interrupted.
"Excuse me, did he say Democrat?'' House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) asked. "I believe it's Democratic."
Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) defended Landes. "Friends was the important word,'' he said.
"Actually grammar matters. Sorry, Mr. Speaker," Del. Kristen J. Amundson (D-Fairfax) said.
When Landes resumed talking, he stayed away from the word and used the safer term "friends from the other side" instead.
By Anita Kumar |
June 26, 2008; 11:13 AM ET
| Category:
Anita Kumar
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Virginia General Assembly 2008
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transportation
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Posted by: Scott Surovell | June 26, 2008 1:06 PM
Yeah, this is helpful. Debate grammar while we sit in epic gridlock burning $4.00 gas going 0 mph, at a special session cost of $20,000/day that will accomplish NOTHING for the people of Virginia. Heckuvajob, General Assembly!
Posted by: BOHICA! | June 26, 2008 2:08 PM
Wait a minute. If my friend is a member of the Democratic party, Ward wants me to say my friend is a Democratic?
No, Scot, that is childish.
Posted by: Alton Foley | June 27, 2008 6:25 AM
Can someone explain this to me? When is it better to say "Democrat" or "Democratic".
Posted by: Dave Albo | June 27, 2008 9:30 AM
The word "Democrat" is a noun. Thus it cannot modify "Party." It's the "Democratic" Party, made up of individual "Democrats."
Posted by: Kris Amundson | June 27, 2008 8:50 PM
This is so stupid, it's one of those made up snubs. They don't like being called by the name they called themselves for 200 years. I don't buy it.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 1, 2008 9:12 PM
Kris, excellent response to the comment from Dave Albo.
Dave Albo also thinks that the Democratic voters in Fairfax are all on food stamps:
Posted by: Hokie Guru | July 13, 2008 9:29 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Good for Ward and Kris.
Calling the Democratic Party the Democrat Party is a well know snub used by George Bush and more recently and frequently by Bob McDonnell.
I'm glad to see them standing up against such childish behavior.